Bommishetty Bhanumathi, a 45-year-old from Proddatur, has defied societal norms to become a beacon of hope and resilience for women farmers in Andhra Pradesh. A passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, she was honored with the "Rythu Nestham" award by former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu.
Born into a family of daily-wage laborers as the seventh of ten children in Kuppuruvaripalle village, Bhanumathi faced early hardships, including the loss of her mother and a marriage at 16. Despite these challenges, she pursued education, worked multiple jobs, and later launched a saree business with a Rs 5-lakh loan. She trained over 2,000 rural women in tailoring, and her efforts earned international recognition, including a partnership with the World Bank to develop Rachinnayapalle as a model village.
Bhanumathi’s journey into sustainable farming began in Kurnool, where she experimented with natural farming techniques, earning accolades like the Best Farmer Award. Upon returning to Proddatur, she leased three acres of land to practice eco-friendly farming, using organic methods to achieve higher yields in paddy, millets, and legumes. Her work has been shared with delegates from over 20 countries, highlighting the environmental and health benefits of natural farming.
A role model for overcoming adversity, Bhanumathi’s achievements, including the Best Farmer, Seva Bharathi, and Andhra Ratnam awards, reflect her unwavering determination and commitment to a better future.
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